Tim Brown taking his victory lap after winning the first Modified race of last event. photo by Eric Hylton Photography

(Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC) Although Tim Brown of Rural Hall has had a rough past few weeks, “The Rocket” seems to be hitting his stride now at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Brown started off the season with some disappointing qualifying results, minor car issues, a few tough bumps from competitors – and to top it all off, a bout of pneumonia that lasted six weeks. But things have turned around: Brown’s qualified on the pole in the last two events and has begun racking up the victories in the Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series.
“I definitely think our team has the momentum right now, and momentum’s a large part of racing,” said Brown. “We’ve won three out of the last four weekends, so I’m pretty proud about that.”
After qualifying on the pole on Saturday, Brown led every lap in commanding fashion to take the checkered flag. “My car was really strong. Last weekend and this weekend too - it’s just been exceptionally strong,” said Brown.
Danny Bohn finished in second, with Randy Butner of Pfafftown coming in third.
The “Madhouse Scramble” sent Brad Robbins of Winston-Salem to the pole for the start of the second race. Tony Black of Lexington started beside him on the outside front row.

Michael Clifton in Winner’s Circle after winning the second Modified race of last event. photo by Eric Hylton Photography

When the green flag waved, Robbins muscled his way into the lead. Michael Clifton of Walkertown moved up into second.
Tommy Neal of Walkertown, who had a run-in with Robbins during the first Modified race of the evening, began to fall back through the field. As Robbins began to approach lapping Neal, the 21 car of Neal hugged the inside row, forcing Robbins to use the slower outside lane.
After Robbins eventually passed by, Neal followed closely behind for a few laps – until ramming the rear bumper of Brad Robbins with just two laps to go. Robbins spun, and Michael Clifton capitalized on his chance to grab the lead.
Clifton went on to take the checkered. “I didn’t really know what was going to happen – whether Tommy could get to him and do whatever he was going to do,” said Clifton. “We were just in the right place at the right time.”
Robbins recovered quickly and held on to second place, finishing right behind Clifton. Jason Myers of Walnut Cove finished in third.

Saturday was the Whelen Sportsman 100 for the Webb Heating & A/C Co. Sportsman Series – the longest and most prestigious race of the season for the Sportsman competitors. Gary Ledbetter of Lexington qualified on the pole with a blistering time. When the top six redrew for position, Kenny Bost of Lexington plucked the pole as his starting spot with Ledbetter starting in second.
Ledbetter grabbed the lead right off the bat and looked to be in a strong position to stay there the entire 100 laps. He successfully defended his lead during the first double-file restart, but disaster struck for the Ledbetter team during the second caution.
While still under caution on lap 38, smoke began to pour from Ledbetter’s engine. His motor blew, taking him out of the lead and the race. Kenny Bost moved up to take his place.
Bost fought against outside row challenges from Zack Clifton of Walkertown, Jeff Garrison of Arcadia, Ryan Robertson of Winston-Salem, and several attempts from Taylor Branch of Lewisville.
But problems were in store for Bost as his left front tire began to lose air. Bost held on as long as he could for the final laps of the 100-lapper. But when the race was extended several extra laps due to cautions, Bost’s luck ran out.
Taylor Branch began to power past Bost to claim the lead during a restart. As the two fought for the lead, they collided – allowing Derek Stoltz of Walkertown to take over the top spot. Stoltz went on to earn the victory.
“I told then on the radio it was going to happen,” said Stoltz, referring to the incident with Branch and Bost. “Kenny had a left front tire down, and it worked to my favor.”
Kyle Southern of King, who started in the very rear of the field, finished in second. Michael Tilley of Winston-Salem took third.
John Holleman of Winston-Salem brought home the win in the Q104.1 New Country Street Stock Series, with Billy Gregg of Winston-Salem finishing right behind him in second. Donnie Martin of Winston-Salem came in third.
In the Summer Shootout Stadium Stock Series, Chuck Wall of Lexington won the first 15-lapper, with Tyler Burke of Winston-Salem claiming the checkered in the second 15-lap race.